Matty Healy (right) spotted Blink 182 member Tom DeLonge (left) in the crowd at Lollapalooza. Photos: Tom DeLonge/Instagram, AP
Looks like Matty Healy from The 1975 still has something to say about Malaysia. At the British band’s set at the Lollapalooza 2023 in Chicago on Friday (Aug 4), Healy seemingly poked fun at his controversial Good Vibes Festival show in Malaysia recently.
Before performing the song It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You), Healy told the crowd: You want my travel tip? Don’t go to ...”
Healy was cut off mid-sentence by his bandmates playing the intro to 2018 song. This is The 1975’s signature move during its set; the band cuts off Healy before he could say something risque.
Later, the 34-year-old singer - and Taylor Swift’s one-time boyfriend - spotted Blink-182 member Tom DeLonge in the crowd and went to give him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
DeLonge posted this photo on his Instagram, writing: “I guess myself and The 1975 won’t be going to Malaysia - just a couple of dudes kissing during their phenomenal set at Lollapalooza.”
At the Good Vibes Festival last month, Healy went on a rant on stage about Malaysia’s LGBTQ laws before kissing The 1975 bassist Ross MacDonald at the show held at Sepang International Circuit.
Organisers pulled the plug on the band’s performance and the remaining two days of the music festival were cancelled by the Communications and Digital Ministry.
The British band was then blacklisted and banned from performing in Malaysia, according Puspal.
Friday's performance at Lollapalooza marked The 1975's first show since the Good Vibes Festival fiasco.
Meanwhile in latest development, Future Sound Asia (FSA) - the organisers of Good Vibes Festival - said it has issued Letters of Claim to The 1975 demanding that it acknowledges its liability and compensate FSA for damages incurred. “The Band’s failure to do so will result in FSA pursuing legal proceedings in the Courts of England,” FSA said in a statement.
